In Florida, when the vet inoculates the dog and gives you a copy of the rabies certificate, he/she is usually able to issue a license tag. Most vets charge separately for the rabies shot and the license fee--so you have to pay both.
If your vet is the rare one who doesn't have the county license tags on hand, he/she has to provide you with a copy of the rabies certificate so you can send--or take-- a photocopy to the county along with the licensing fee ASAP after the shots are given to get your dog ( or cat's!) tag.
Where to get them varies by county. From your signature, looks like you're in Broward. Google "Broward Animal Care". It'll take you to Broward's shelter facilities homepage, which has loads of links to licensing info.
There are one-year tags to correlate to one-year rabies vaccine; three-year tags that go with three-year vaccine and a "no vaccination" tag given to dogs who are on medications that interfere with or are too ill to be given rabies vaccine. Those "no vaccination" tags must be replaced with a regular one or three-year as soon as the dog is healthy enough for vaccination.
Login using the form on the top of the page to post feedback (if you are a registered user). If you have not yet registered, click here to do so. It's FREE!.
Archives:
Request: Florida Law Regarding Rabies Shots
Archived on 07/21/2009
Is it a law that your animal be given a rabies shot in Florida?
Christa from Largo, FL
Feedback:
RE: Florida Law Regarding Rabies Shots
I live in Port Charlotte, FL, and yes, it is a law. There is always the possibility of rabid, racoons, skunks, etc. (10/31/2005)
Call your local vet office and they can tell you what the laws are in your county. I have never known an area in the US that doesn't have a law requiring Rabies vaccination. It's for the safety of the people who live in the area. (11/01/2005)
By SNIGDIBBLY
RE: Florida Law Regarding Rabies Shots
The 1 year rabies shot and the 3 year one are not the same. Glenna, the 1 year one is good for only 1 year. Since you had your last one in July 2006 you need to get another one now. But you can get the 3 year one which requires a shot now, in a year 1 booster shot and then you are good for three years. And the 1 year, the 3 year and the booster shot contain a dosage of 1cc. The reason the 3 year lasts longer is because it's a different "kill virus" meaning it has different medications. (07/30/2007)
By Tracy
RE: Florida Law Regarding Rabies Shots
If you have the 3 year shot you must present it proving you have the shot. If you don't you must give you dog or cat a rabies shot once every year or you can get all your dogs or cats taken away and be given a ticket worth 500$ or more. (07/15/2008)
